VWFC loan centre back Mitchell to NASL side FC Edmonton

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that centre back Carlyle Mitchell will join FC Edmonton on a season-long loan, which will include both the 2013 spring and fall North American Soccer League campaigns.

Whitecaps FC also confirmed today that Honduran centre back Johnny Leverón and Brazilian midfielder Paulo Jr. have both received their Canadian work permits. Following a couple weeks of training with NASL side Carolina RailHawks, Leverón and Paulo Jr. are scheduled to arrive in Vancouver tomorrow and will train with the team on Wednesday morning.

“Carlyle is a young player with a lot of potential. FC Edmonton provides Carlyle a great opportunity to earn regular playing experience under a great coaching staff led by head coach Colin Miller,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie. “We are happy for Carlyle and at the same time excited to welcome back Johnny and Paulo Jr.”

Mitchell, 25, joined Whitecaps FC on September 14, 2011, after starting his professional career in his home country with Joe Public FC in the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League. In two seasons in Vancouver, Mitchell has started five Major League Soccer regular season matches. The Albertan NASL club will be familiar to the young Caribbean defender, as the 6-foot-1 centre back started both legs against FC Edmonton in the 2012 Amway Canadian Championship.

Internationally, Mitchell has made 10 appearances for the Trinidad and Tobago senior men's national team.

In Edmonton, Mitchell will link up with former Whitecaps FC assistant coach Colin Miller, who is now head coach with FC Edmonton. Miller coached Mitchell when he first joined Whitecaps FC at the end of the 2011 MLS season.

As part of MLS rules, Mitchell will not be eligible to compete for FC Edmonton against Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2013 Amway Canadian Championship.

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